Rajya Sabha Members Condemn Inflammatory Statements By Sangh Parivar In Agra

New Delhi: Opposition members in Rajya Sabha today expressed serious concern over reports that some Sangh Parivar leaders had allegedly sought to take "revenge" on the minority community for the killing of a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader, with a nominated member making a fervent plea for preserving the unity and diversity of the country.

The government also condemned the reported statements in the House.

Making a Zero Hour mention, Anu Aga accused some Sangh Parivar members of recently giving a call for taking "revenge" on the minority community, terming them 'demons'.

"Such incidents should be stopped and condemned," she said, adding that "in a peace-loving Hindu dominated country, public statements by persons in responsibility goes against the inclusive ethos of the country."

At a condolence meeting in Agra for a VHP worker who was killed recently, speakers reportedly made inflammatory statements and swore to take revenge on the minorities.

Ms Aga said such statements derailed the development agenda and appealed for forgetting differences and joining hands to preserve the unity, diversity and integrity of the country and restore sanity.
Several Opposition members supported her and raised their hands to associate with her.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said he agreed on maintaining unity and harmony and added no destructive agenda can dominate development agenda.

Mr Naqvi said the government does not support such incidents and "we condemn it."

Madhusudan Mistry (Congress) raised the issue of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and BJP members reportedly throwing black ink on the statue of India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on February 19 in Badaun town of Uttar Pradesh.

While Pandit Nehru went to jail for country's freedom, those who assisted the British and did not hoist national flag on RSS headquarters are now teaching nationalism, he said.

"Our leader is being given life threats by Rajasthan MLA and such statements are not even being condemned," he alleged and added that no action has been taken against those responsible from throwing ink at Nehru's statue.

Mr Mistry demanded that the Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh be directed to take action.

When Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien asked if the government will seek report on the matter, the minister replied that it was a law and order issue which is a state subject.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)